Who are Trump Appointees James Blair and Howard Lutnick?

Posted by Madeline Robertson on November 22, 2024

Continuing our blog series on White House appointments and congressional changes, today we are highlighting the recently appointed James Blair, Deputy Chief of Staff and recently nominated Howard Lutnick, Secretary of Commerce.  

James Blair: Deputy Chief of Staff (Legislative, Political, and Public Affairs) 

Last week President-elect Trump named James Blair his Deputy Chief of Staff, responsible for Legislative, Political, and Public Affairs. Blair was the Political Director during President Trump’s 2024 campaign as well as for the Republican National Committee. While in these roles, he oversaw hundreds of people on staff and managed a large portfolio of political concepts and operations. Blair is credited with being integral to President Trump’s 2024 campaign, specifically surrounding his economic messaging.  

Blair previously founded a political consulting group out of Florida called Rapid Loop. In 2022, before his work on President Trump’s campaign, he worked on major efforts for Congressional and Gubernatorial races across the country. This work included key battleground states like Arizona, Florida, Michigan, and Ohio. Blair also was a key advisor to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ 2018 gubernatorial race and served as Governor DeSantis’ Deputy Chief of Staff. He also worked in Florida for President Trump’s 2020 campaign.  

The Deputy Chief of Staff is a role that has transformed over the years and is utilized differently by each president. The main objective is to aid the Chief of Staff in serving the President. As the Deputy Chief of Staff, he will work as Chief of Staff Susie Wiles’ “right hand.”  According to reports, he will be focused on legislative, political, and public affairs. However, not much is known at this point about what that will specifically mean in terms of his intended policy priorities or other focus areas. 

Howard Lutnick: Secretary of Commerce 

President-elect Trump named Howard Lutnick as his pick for the U.S. Secretary of Commerce. As you likely know, the Secretary of Commerce is a cabinet-level position that is appointed by the President and requires Senate confirmation. In addition to being named the Secretary of Commerce, Lutnick is also the co-chair of President-elect Trump’s transition team and will be overseeing the hiring and structure of the President’s White House and agency leadership teams as he prepares to take office in January. 

As the Commerce Secretary, he will promote U.S. businesses, job growth, and economic development. He will also oversee the International Trade Administration, which means he will work with President Trump on the concept of certain tariffs, as Congress has extended certain tariff powers to the Executive Branch. Lutnick has recently made remarks about increasing tariffs and lowering taxes on Americans, saying, ““Don’t tax our people. Make money instead. Put tariffs on China and make $400 billion”. Many economists are pushing back on some of Lutnick’s and Trump’s tariff ideas, specifically questioning the validity of the concept that tariffs could create revenue. Additionally, reports suggest that members of Congress have reservations about some of these tariffs ideas as well.  

The Secretary of Commerce supports U.S. businesses and provides policy advisement to the President. The Department of Commerce also manages a vast number of bureaus including (and more): 

• Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) 

• U.S. Census Bureau 

• Economic Development Administration (EDA) 

• Office of the Under Secretary for Economic Affairs (OUS/EA) 

• Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) 

• Office of Business Liaison (OBL) 

• Office of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs (OLIA) 

• Office of the Chief Financial Officer and Assistant Secretary for Administration (CFO/ASA) 

Lutnick graduated from Haverford College with a degree in economics. After graduation, he started at Cantor Fitzgerald, a global financial services firm from 1983 to 1991. Lutnick was mentored by Cantor Fitzgerald’s Founder, Bernard Cantor and Lutnick was named CEO in 1991.  

Lutnick’s nomination takes him out of the running for Secretary of Treasury, a position his name was floated for in the days immediately following the election. As Commerce Secretary, Lutnick will have a significant impact on both foreign and domestic financial and economic policy. GoWest will monitor this nomination and the process through the Senate closely.  

Posted in Advocacy on the Move, Federal Advocacy.